How to Address Wedding Invitations (With Examples)

Outer vs. inner envelope

One envelope only? Then the outer envelope must list every invited guest by name, since there's no inner envelope to clarify.

Wording by guest type

Married couple, same last name

Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Okafor (traditional) or Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Amara Okafor (modern)
Inner: Daniel and Amara

Married couple, different last names

Outer: Ms. Amara Nwosu and Mr. Daniel Okafor (one line if it fits; alphabetical or the person you're closer to first)
Inner: Ms. Nwosu and Mr. Okafor

Married same-sex couple

Outer: Mr. Julian Reyes and Mr. Samuel Reyes or Mrs. and Mrs. Priya Shah
Inner: Julian and Samuel

Unmarried couple living together

Outer: both full names on the same line, closer friend first
Inner: Mia and Tom

Family with children

Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Okafor
Inner: Daniel, Amara, Chidi, Ada and Ife
Children over 18 receive their own separate invitation.

Single guest with a plus-one

Outer: Ms. Grace Lin
Inner: Ms. Lin and Guest — or, better, ask for the partner's name and use it.

Single guest, no plus-one

Outer and inner: name only. Omitting "and Guest" is the polite way to say no plus-one.

Widow

Mrs. Eleanor Whitfield — using her own first name, unless she still uses her husband's.

Divorced woman

Mrs. Eleanor Whitfield or Ms. Eleanor Grant, depending on the name she uses now. Ask.

Titles and honorifics

• Doctor: Doctor Amara Okafor and Mr. Daniel Okafor. Both doctors: The Doctors Okafor.
• Military: rank before name — Captain Daniel Okafor, U.S. Army. Higher rank listed first in a couple.
• Judge: The Honorable Amara Okafor.
• Clergy: The Reverend Daniel Okafor.
• Ms. vs. Mrs.: use Ms. when unmarried or unsure. Mx. is the standard gender-neutral honorific.

Formatting rules

• Spell out street, avenue, boulevard, apartment and state names in full.
• Numbers under twenty are spelled out: Twelve Sycamore Lane. Larger house numbers use numerals.
• ZIP codes stay in numerals.
• No ampersands. Write "and".
• Handwrite or calligraph the addresses; printed labels are acceptable but less formal.
• Return address goes on the back flap of the outer envelope.

Example, fully formatted

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Okafor
Twelve Sycamore Lane, Apartment Four
Charleston, South Carolina 29401

Practical tips

• Order 10–15% extra envelopes. Calligraphy mistakes happen.
• Collect full legal names and preferred titles when you gather addresses — a guest list tool makes this painless.
• Weigh a fully assembled invitation at the post office before buying stamps; square envelopes and inserts cost extra.
• Hand-cancel the envelopes so the wax seal and calligraphy survive.

Timing matters as much as wording — see when to send wedding invitations.